Traitor to the Blood

Traitor to the Blood

Barb & J.C. Hendee

Series or Stand Alone: Noble Dead series, book four

Release Date: January 2007

Publisher: Roc

Pages: 416

Author Site: http://www.nobledead.com/

My Rating: 3.5/5

Source: Received from Paperbackswap.com

Synopsis [goodreads.com]:

Born a half-breed to an elven mother and human father, Leesil was raised in the Warlands as assassin, spy, and slave for Lord Darmouth, ruler of an independent province. But Leesil's mother trained him well, and he used his skills to escape, leaving his parents to suffer Darmouth's wrath for all such traitors and their kin. Now with newfound purpose in the company of his beloved Magiere, Leesil returns to confront the sins of his past and uncover his parents' fate. Unable to turn him from this dangerous course, Magiere follows Leesil into the darkness of his past in the Warlands. Knowing what may happen should Darmouth learn of Leesil's return, she is prepared to slaughter any who try to take him from her. But Magiere's own past may well pose a more deadly threat. Two creatures of unfathomable power continue to stalk her - one who believes she's the key to his salvation, and one who seeks to destroy her...and all those she loves.

Review:

**Caution: This review may contain minor spoilers...

Leesil and Magiere have moved the troop towards the Warlands under the nose of Leesil's former master Lord Dartmouth. Leesil is determined to find out what happened to his parents after escaping his enslavement so many years ago. But his past actions continue to haunt him as he slowly uncovers the fate of his family. Meanwhile, Magiere struggles to watch Leesil's personality whither away each day. The atmosphere of the book is definitely more dark and violent which is fitting. I enjoy the fact that the Magiere and Leesil are equals in their relationship. Their bond is more on a scale of companions and/or "mates", if I could be so bold as to use that term, with hardly no emphasis on the romantic side.

I'm kind of sad that Chap's character is developing the way it currently is. I really love Chap but the fact that he is what he is is garnering a different kind of attitude from the rest of the company. I find it disappointing that he is treated the way he is although I understand both Magiere's and especially Leesil's feelings of betrayal. I happen to like Wynn the more I read about her. She is certainly no Magiere but she is definitely developing somewhat of a backbone and standing up for herself. I'm extremely curious to see how her and Chane's relationship develops and if it indeed does at all. Welsteil's character feels like a drag at times. His ongoing journey of trailing the team has become quite dull and I'm very read for it to pick up again...

I've come to really enjoy this series. However, I had some trouble getting into this installment. It dragged at times and there were just some passages that were longer than necessary. Despite that though, the ending really picked up in my opinion. And honestly I just can't help but continue on with these books! As a whole, I just love the characters and enjoy discovering new details about them and their pasts. While I do miss the romance found in other books, this dark fantasy series concentrates more on the action and relationships between ALL characters. The ending set up nicely for the next book in the series and I'm excited about starting it. Although TRAITOR TO THE BLOOD wasn't my favorite out of the bunch, the book certainly had some great elements to it.

Teaser Tuesday [42]

Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:







-Grab your current read
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
-Please avoid spoilers!



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I narrowed my eyes. "If you kiss me I'll scream, and then my father will come out and punch you in the nose." And before any of those things happened, I'd probably wet my pants. (63)

Two for the Dough :: Janet Evanovich

Book Arrivals

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Purchased:

Dracula :: Bram Stoker

Dracula, by Bram Stoker, is part of the Barnes & Noble Classics series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics:

New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriateAll editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. Barnes & Noble Classics pulls together a constellation of influences—biographical, historical, and literary—to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works.

Mind Games :: Carolyn Crane
(Book one in the Disillusionists Trilogy)

Mind Games follows the adventures of Justine Jones, a hopeless hypochondriac who longs to be normal. Instead, she is recruited to join a psychological hit squad in a city terrorized by criminals with strange powers…only to fall for her most dangerous target!

Mina: The Dracula Story Continues :: Marie Kiraly

In the haunting sequel to Bram Stoker's classic Dracula, the dark prince's most famous mistress tells her story. On the brink of becoming one of the Undead, Mina Harker was saved by a stake driven through Dracula's heart. Mina tries to return to the mortal world, but after feeling Dracula's undying passion, can she go back to an ordinary marriage?

Impossible :: Nancy Werlin

When seventeen-year-old Lucy discovers her family is under an ancient curse by an evil Elfin Knight, she realizes to break the curse she must perform three impossible tasks before her daughter is born in order to save them both.

An Abundance of Katherines :: John Green

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. He's also a washedup child prodigy with ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a passion for anagrams, and an overweight, Judge Judy-obsessed best friend. Colin's on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which will predict the future of all relationships, transform him from a fading prodigy into a true genius, and finally win him the girl.

Letting expectations go and allowing love in are at the heart of Colin's hilarious quest to find his missing piece and avenge dumpees everywhere.

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From Paperbackswap.com:

Three to Get Deadly :: Janet Evanovich

(Book three in the Stephanie Plum series)

As readers of Janet Evanovich's two previous books about funny, feisty, family-tied bounty hunter Stephanie Plum already know, she operates in "the burg"--a "comfy residential chunk of Trenton, New Jersey, where houses and minds are proud to be narrow and hearts are generously wide open." On this turf, Plum fights for justice and fashion points--this time in pursuit of a beloved neighborhood candystore owner who seems to be moonlighting as an anti-drug vigilante. Evanovich now lives in New Hampshire, but authentic affection for Trenton energizes her prose. Plums in paperback include One for the Money and Two for the Dough.

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From Contests/Giveaways & Misc:

The Pack :: LM Preston

(Received for review from author)

Shamira is considered an outcast by most, but little do they know that Shamira is on a mission. Kids on Mars are disappearing, but Shamira decides to use the criminals most unlikely weapons against them, the very kids of which they have captured. In order to succeed, she is forced to trust another, something she is afraid to do. However, Valens her connection to the underworld of her enemy, proves to be a useful ally. Time is slipping, and so is her control on the power that resides within her. Yet, in order to save her brother's life she is willing to risk it all.

Token of Darkness :: Amellia Atwater-Rhodes

(Won in a giveaway)

Cooper Blake has everything going for him - until he wakes from a car accident with his football career in ruins and a mysterious, attractive girl by his side. Cooper doesn't know how Samantha got there or why he can see her; all he knows is that she's a ghost, and the shadows that surround her seem intent on destroying her.

No one from Cooper's old life would understand what he can barely grasp himself. . . . But Delilah, the captain of the cheerleading squad, has secrets of her own, like her ability to see beyond the physical world, and her tangled history with Brent, a loner from a neighboring school who can hear strangers' most intimate thoughts. Delilah and Brent know that Cooper is in more trouble than he realizes, and that Samantha may not be as innocent as she has led Cooper to believe. But the only way to figure out where Samantha came from will put them all in more danger than they ever dreamed possible.

Between Two Kingdoms

Between Two Kingdoms

Joe Boyd

Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone

Release Date: March 2010

Publisher: Standard Publishing

Pages: 176

Author Site: http://betweentwokingdoms.wordpress.com/about-the-author/

My Rating: 2/5

Source: Received from FSB Associates for review

Synopsis [from goodreads.com]:

In this work of allegorical fantasy, author Joe Boyd takes us on a pilgrimage to a land of two kingdoms, but only one true King. An ancient land, where children never grow old. A living land, where foundations grow in trees and rivers sing and breathe. But also a dying land, where the darkness of a false prince threatens to swallow everything in its shadow.

Enter the adventure with Tommy, a child of the Great King, as he and his friends accept the challenge to live as grown men and women in the Lower Kingdom—where hope is hidden, vision is clouded, and pride twists truth into a beautiful yet deadly deception.

Review:

I didn't hate this book but I can't say I really liked it either. BETWEEN TWO KINGDOMS is one big allegorical tale that was both challenging and easy to get through. Not being very religious myself I found it a bit redundant and sometimes annoying to read and re-read the religious references spread throughout the unique tale. Now most of that annoyance is directed towards myself for not realizing what exactly this book was about. When I was asked to review BETWEEN TWO KINGDOMS I simply skimmed the synopsis provided and said "Definitely!!" It sounded like an enjoyable action tale geared towards the younger crowd. I really had no idea what I was getting into when I accepted the review.

But I don't want anyone to think the book was terrible, because it wasn't. It simply wasn't my cup o'tea. I enjoyed the story enough to want to finish it and after setting aside my differences with the novel itself I was able to enjoy the plot as a whole rather than concentrate on the religious symbols in the book. There was also some points in the book that quite frankly had me stumped. The children of the Great King are a eternally seven-years-old. Why that age? Why children at all? While in the Upper Kingdom, the children eat a cookie and ice-cream filled diet that seems to hold some significance in the end but still leaves me scratching my head...

Overall, the story was entirely unique to my personal tastes. And to add a random comment into my review: I really like the cover! The picture above is pretty true to what you get when you hold the novel and I just loved looking at it. I believe there are many people, young and older alike, that will enjoy BETWEEN TWO KINGDOMS. I recommend you borrow it from a library or read more about it before making a decision.

Where I've been...

....Nowhere important I'm afraid...

But I just wanted to apologize for being MIA as of late. Probably should have mentioned this to you all a while ago, but I'm coming up on being 6 1/2 months pregnant... I'm super duper excited. I've always wanted to be a mom =) I'll be having a baby girl who is due July 12th! Unfortunately I'm a high risk pregnancy case because I had heart surgery a few years ago when I was 19 in 2007. So although the pregnancy so far has been relatively easy, the last trimester is supposed to be tough...

Also my family life is not anywhere near ideal. It's actually one of the most stressful things I'm dealing with at the moment. I'm having trouble finding the time to juggle personal, school, work and blogging life. I hate neglecting the blog because there is so much I'd like to do with it. But I honestly don't know when I'll be able to give the blog my full attention...

So for now, I hope some of you stay with me as I wait for things to settle down. I'll still be here as often as I can, mainly posting reviews. I have a couple I still need to write and I won't ever stop reading so there will always be more to come. Thanks to everyone who has stuck around with me from the very beginning. It means so much to me because I know my blog doesn't really stand out from "the crowd". So again, thank you for being so kind and for visiting.

I don't want to stop blogging so I'll just have to post when I can with my fingers crossed and hope for the best. I'll try to get those reviews up ASAP.



Thanks again you guys...heart you all!

Waiting on Wednesday [49]

from randomhouse.com:

JUSTINE KNOWS SHE’S GOING TO DIE. ANY SECOND NOW.

Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.

Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness—only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.


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Reason: Not only does the premise sound plain kick-ass, but I've already read some great reviews of the book. I've always frequented Carolyn's blog before and she's a pretty awesome gal!

Cover Discussion: Nothing too spectactular here although the cover model is slightly gorgeous. I enjoy the colors and I've seen book two's cover and I like how they go together.

Mind Games will be released March 23rd! (yes, yesterday! go out & get it!!)

What are you waiting on this week?

To see more books that are being waited for click here.

Book Arrivals

From Contests/Giveaways & Misc:

Black Magic Sanction :: Kim Harrison

(Book eight in the Rachel Morgan/Hollows series)

(Won from Brooke @ Brooke's Reviews, thanks hun!)

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter--and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment--at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery.Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

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From Paperbackswap.com:


Traitor to the Blood :: Barb & J.C. Hendee
(Book four in the Noble Dead series)

"Born a half-breed to an elven mother and human father, Leesil was raised in the Warlands as assassin, spy, and slave for Lord Darmouth, ruler of an independent province. But Leesil's mother trained him well, and he used his skills to escape, leaving his parents to suffer Darmouth's wrath for all such traitors and their kin. Now with newfound purpose in the company of his beloved Magiere, Leesil returns to confront the sins of his past and uncover his parents' fate." Unable to turn him from this dangerous course, Magiere follows Leesil into the darkness of his past in the Warlands. Knowing what may happen should Darmouth learn of Leesil's return, she is prepared to slaughter any who try to take him from her. But Magiere's own past may well pose a more deadly threat. Two creatures of unfathomable power continue to stalk her - one who believes she's the key to his salvation, and one who seeks to destroy her...and all those she loves.

The Lumby Lines

The Lumby Lines

Gail Fraser

Series or Stand Alone: The Lumby series, book one

Release Date: May 2007

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 336

Author Site: http://www.lumbybooks.com/

My Rating: 4/5

Source: Received from FSB Associates for review

Synopsis [from fsbmedia.com]:

Nestled in the Northwest is a quaint little town that its quirky residents are proud to call home. With charming shops lining its one main thoroughfare, Lumby has the oldest apple tree in the county and the smallest bank in the state. And though it's hours from the nearest big city, you'll always find Lumby close to your heart ...

Nearly destroyed by fire, Montis Abbey remains a ruin on the outskirts of Lumby. Once home to a resourceful order of monks, it stands abandoned, surrounded by its overgrown orchards. Then Mark and Pam Walker, a vacationing couple from the East Coast, stumble upon it -- and upon the answer to their prayers. Leaving behind their hectic lives to restore the monastery and turn it into an inn is a dream come true.

But some residents of Lumby take a while to warm up to outsiders. One of them is irascible William Beezer, owner of The Lumby Lines -- the newspaper "worth the paper it's printed on." At every turn, he tries to hinder the Walkers' efforts. The couple soon learns that for every citizen like William, there are many more willing to lend a hand, and that Lumby isn't just a place -- it's a way of life.

Review:

I wasn't going into THE LUMBY LINES with many expectations. The synopsis sound decent at best and I had never heard of Gail Fraser before. I enjoy working with the people with FSB Associates however, and am always happy to receive a query through the email. And it's at these times, when I dont' expect a book to be much, that I'm overjoyed to find a sweet little gem of a read in the most unexpected places!!

THE LUMBY LINES isn't a ground-breaking novel, however I was so surprised by how much I ended up really enjoying the book. It's simply a lovely, cozy little read that will definitely leave any reader with warm fuzzies after they close the back cover. The town of Lumby itself is a character all it's own with the inhabitants fiercely loyal and protective. When an east-coast couple discover a new path to their lives while on a vaction, they end up buying a deserted abbey that was burned down many years ago. Determined to rebuild Montis Abbey into a bed and breakfast, Mark and Pam Walker discover the true magic of Lumby.

I'll definitely be continuing on with all Lumby-connected books. And although everything seems to always work out in the end (which was a little too unrealistic for me) it was nice to escape into such a warm and loving world that Gail has created. I highly recommend this charming book to anyone who is in the mood to laugh and become attached to some really great characters!

Friday Finds [27]

**Hosted by MizB, click here to see more Friday Finds

I usually add a lot of books on my TBR list throughout the week. This is just a small glimpse into the ones that were added on recently. Maybe you'll find something you like =)

Please let me know your thoughts on a book you've read from the list. Or tell me about a good book you've found this week.



My Finds This Week::

The Price of Innocence :: Vicki Hopkins
Dark Oracle :: Alayna Williams

A Life Revealed :: Suzi Katz

Destiny's Star :: Elizabeth Vaughan

Everlasting :: Angie Frazier

The Amoveo Legacy :: Sara Taney Humphreys

Stolen Promise :: Lisa Marie Wilkinson

Postcards From a Dead Girl :: Kirk Farber

The Battle Sylph :: L.J. McDonald

The Opposite of Me :: Sarah Pekkanen

Don't Forget to Wear Green Today!

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

**haha, this makes me smile everytime I see it**

Waiting on Wednesday [48]

from penguin.com:

A bestselling international literary sensation about whether a "prime number" can ever truly connect with someone else.

A prime number can only be divided by itself or by one—it never truly fits with another. Alice and Mattia, both "primes," are misfits who seem destined to be alone. Haunted by childhood tragedies that mark their lives, they cannot reach out to anyone else. When Alice and Mattia meet as teenagers, they recognize in each other a kindred, damaged spirit.

But the mathematically gifted Mattia accepts a research position that takes him thousands of miles away, and the two are forced to separate. Then a chance occurrence reunites them and forces a lifetime of concealed emotion to the surface.

Like Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, this is a stunning meditation on loneliness, love, and the weight of childhood experience that is set to become a universal classic.


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Reason: It was definitely the title that drew me in first, than the cover, and finally the blurb reeled me in. The comparision to Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time definitely helped to. I have a feeling this book will not be the easiest or quickest read but will leave an imprint after being finished. I enjoy those kind of books!

Cover Discusssion: I'm in love! The peas are a wonderful touch: "Two Peas in a Pod"... I also like the font chosen for the cover, it matches the description of the characters in my opinion.




The Solitude of Prime Numbers will be released March 18th!




What are you waiting on this week?
To see more books that are being waited for click here.

Q&A with A.P. Stephens

I'd like to welcome A.P. Stephens to mis(h)takes today! I was very lucky to be contacted by him to read and review his debut fantasy THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR. He also agreed to an interview that provides some great insight into the novel.


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A little background info before we go on:

A.P. Stephens grew up in the suburb of Mesquite, TX. He attended Dallas County community colleges and progressed to the University of North Texas where he studied Creative Writing and English.

The foundations of his writing began in 1991 when a fellow classmate lent him a copy of The Lord of the Rings. With the combination of Tolkien, video games, music, and movies, the beginnings of his fantasy world, Londor, and its inhabitants took shape. His earlier years were devoted to martial arts, theater, and art.

THE WHITE SHADOW SAGA: THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR is a combination taken from his background in martial arts and theater, giving it an extra dose of action and character development.

When he is not writing, A.P. Stephens enjoys drawing, movies, reading, television, and video games.

He resides in Dallas, TX with his lovely wife.

THE WHITE SHADOW SAGA: THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR is now available in paperback and ebook forms. It was also named one of the Top Books of 2009 by Fantasy Book Critic.

You can visit his website here: http://www.apstephens.com/

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Me: I appreciate you stopping by to answer some questions :D

A.P.: Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to answer them on your site.

Me: Can you tell readers a little bit about THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR?

A.P.: The Stolen Moon of Londor is an epic fantasy tale about a world in peril when one of the twin moons disappears from the heavens. This causes the world to fall into sickness, chaos, and all out war. The story revolves around one of the elf god’s servants, Randor, as he leads an expedition party to investigate what happened to the moon before it is too late. Along the path, many obstacles lay ahead and there is plenty of action and adventure.

Me: Which of your characters would you say you are most like and why?

A.P.: Many of my characters have traits or pieces of me in them. I guess it depends on what type of mood I am in, really. When I am feeling creative, I tend to lean towards Lorn, if I get upset about something, then Malander comes out very quick. But when everything is calm, there isn’t just one I am like.

Me: What inspired you to create Londor and all of its inhabitants?

A.P.: Music is a big contributor to my world. I have a strange collection of music and various lyrics in the song would jump out and give me ideas. I also sometimes mishear lyrics and even though it might not be the right words, I will use what I thought I heard. My stories will have inspirations anywhere from Megadeth, Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Wainwright, Two Tons of Steel, and many others. Video games are also a big factor to my stories. Playing some great RPGs on the Super Nintendo gave me many ideas in creating my own fictional world. And there are games nowadays that spark tiny ideas to me.

Me: When did you first realize that you wanted to write?

A.P.: Up until 6th grade, I wanted to make a video game. I used to sit in class and draw characters (fighting game types, etc) and draw maps of levels for the games, laying out streets, buildings, etc. Then in 6th grade a kid came into my class and would watch me draw my characters. One day he asked me if I’ve ever read Lord of the Rings and I never have heard of it. He let me borrow his copy and I was hooked after that. I turned my drawings and such to fantasy after that point.

Me: What were some of the hardships you faced/are still facing by self-publishing?

A.P.: Self publishing comes with many negative connotations: unprofessional, not good enough to be published by the traditional means, no distribution, unedited, garbage, etc. Telling bookstores, libraries, review sites, etc that you are self published puts up a defensive wall with the person you are speaking to. The biggest thing I have seen from bookstores and libraries is that they think your book is not something they can order like a traditional book—but in my case they can. I made sure that I have distribution in place with the same places they can order any big publisher’s books from. That usually opens the way a bit more for me. Another thing about self publishing is that you are your own marketing person, public relations, inventory controller, etc, etc. You have to work hard and diligently to push yourself out there and some authors do not want to do this. There are some who do and I enjoy trying to push the book out there so readers all over the place can read it or learn about it. Doing all the various tasks of self publishing makes you learn about the business and I enjoy learning about it. I learn new things each day and everything I have learned will help me in the future, no matter who might publish my books.

Me: What book/s are you reading right now?

A.P.: Unfortunately, I do not have much time to read much these days. There are two reasons I would say: working a full-time job and then coming home to work another full-time job (self publishing duties and working on the next book) and I try not to read books while I am working on my book. I might subconsciously borrow ideas or the author’s writing style or I will begin reflecting on my own stories instead of writing them. Once I get the first draft of Book Two done, I will read a book or three to take a break. I do listen to some writing podcasts and an occasional audiobook while I am at work and listen to fellow authors who are on Podiobooks like I am.

Me: Can you share anything about Book Two that you’re currently working on?

A.P.: The next book is the second act in the trilogy and like many second acts of trilogies, they are dark. The world around Randor and company is slipping away faster than they imagined and their road ahead is filled with even greater difficulties and darkness. The action will be more intense, the set pieces will be bigger, and true evil will come across their path.

Me: If you could write a book about absolutely anything with any other author (dead or alive) what would it be about and who would you choose?

A.P.: Anyone who knows me would say I would choose J.R.R. Tolkien and as great as that would be, I think many other fantasy writers would say the same thing. I will go with another creator, though I do not know if he is classified as an author; he is a storyteller, however. I would like to do something with the creator of Metal Gear, Hideo Kojima. He has a great sense of telling an intricate tale and he has stellar action sequences. I would like to come in on a story with him and spice things up with my own flair.

Me: What does the A.P. stand for?

A.P.: Aaron Paul

Me: What’s your ideal writing environment like?

A.P.: I wrote the first book wherever I could find a quiet space and some coffee: like a bookstore, coffee shop, Denny’s, etc. I write now at my home at a desk with my coffee or tea and my headphones on listening to whatever music strikes me at the time.

Me: Anything you’d like to add?

A.P.: Book Two is scheduled for an October 2010 release and will be available in paperback and ebook, wherever these lovely items are sold. For Book One, you can find it online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Powell’s, etc. The ebook is available for your Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, iPhone, iTouch, or any phone capable of doing PDFs or ebooks. You can also find it at Mobipocket and on Smashwords. Book One is on iTunes and at Podiobooks.com as a free audio book.

For my website, please go to http://www.apstephens.com/ to view a sample chapter, find links to the audiobook, view artwork, read articles and short poems, and much more. And people can find me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/apstephens and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/whiteshadowsaga. I do follow and friend people back.

Me: Again, thank you so much for taking the time out to visit. I’m looking forward to the new adventures that will be featured in book two.

A.P.: Thank you for having me on your site. The questions were fun to answer. :)



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Click here to read my review for The Stolen Moon of Londor!

Teaser Tuesday [41]

Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:





-Grab your current read
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
-Please avoid spoilers!




----------

"Screaming orgasms I can help with," he said, offering her a quirk of a smile. "How much time do you have?"
Rachel sucked in a sharp breath, and then another.
He said yes.
Holy shit, he said yes. (140)

Drawn Into Darkness :: Annette McCleave

The Stolen Moon of Londor

The Stolen Moon of Londor

A.P. Stephens

Series or Stand Alone: The White Shadow Saga, book one

Release Date: September 2009

Publisher: Fanda Books

Pages: 296

Author Site: http://www.apstephens.com/

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received from author for review

Synopsis [from goodreads.com]:

The era of peace among the elves, men, and dwarves comes to an end when one of Londor's twin moons disappears from the heavens. Without the moon's balancing effect, evil forces grow bold, and warfare, sickness, and chaos threaten life itself. Hearing the prayers of desperation that ride on the violent winds, the ancient wizard Randor Miithra, servant to the elf-gods, takes it upon himself to mend the world he has sworn to protect. The task will not be an easy one, though, for the wizard, too, has begun to feel the effects of the world's imbalance. As Randor struggles to maintain some semblance of his powers, he meets a secretive band of colorful characters from all walks of life, drawn together by a common goal: to find the stolen moon, whatever the cost. It does not take Randor and his motley company long to see that someone or something does not want the moon returned to the heavens. The road is perilous...the stakes have never been greater...will they find victory...or will they only find their deaths?

Review:

I'm not big with epic fantasy or quest type novels, not yet at least. I don't have any books like that under my belt that I can recall so I didn't really have any past experiences to base my thoughts on THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR. But I believe this book is a solid debut from an author that has a very promising future in my opinion.

There were a lot of things I liked about the novel. First thing being there was enough action in it to keep so many different types of readers satisfied. Sword fighting, paranormal creature-battles, magic-wielding, army-size battles, etc are abundant throughout the chapters. Some scenes definitely grabbed my attention and didn't let me go until the characters had a chance to breathe!

I also really enjoyed the creative world of Londor itself. Londor is a huge world inhabited by dwarfs, wizards, elves, and humans that is basically at the mercy of all those who battle on her lands. I was in awe of the inspiration that had to have hit the author to come up with some of the names, word usage, character background, and map-layout (which is partly included in the novel). As I was reading I kept thinking, "Where did A.P. Stephens come up with this stuff." Authors who can create entire new worlds for their readers deserve a great deal of respect and admiration and this author created a world I haven't been inside of before.

The writing style was overall pretty easy to follow. Although I did have a tough time getting into the story at the beginning. The number of characters and the abundance of "background" information didn't shock me since THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR is the first book in a planned series. However, I found myself not being able to connect with any of the characters really. All of the characters, villains included, have their strong points and their weaknesses. Strong points being the contrast between some of the characters. Some were extremely easy to both dislike and like personality wise. No two characters are alike, which is nice to have. The weaknesses vary from not enough information given by the author, to poor development overall. Either way, I am definitely looking forward to Londor's characters coming alive more in the next installment.

I think fantasy fans will enjoy this whether they are hardcore epic fantasy readers or not. THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR has a unique plot that I have yet to see around and it definitely makes me want more of the world and the characters in it. And yes, a moon is "stolen" or missing...I just have to know what happened to it!